Remaining, Dwelling,
Abiding, Staying,
Being a Resident
By Jonathan Mitchell
(Thoughts on "Meno" in 1 John 2:24-29)
We find it significant how many times the Greek word "meno" occurs in these verses from 1 Jn. 2. It is obvious that the concept of "remaining," or, "dwelling," or, "abiding," or, "staying," is important to John. "Meno" has the semantic range from simply "staying" in some place... i.e., "remaining" for an indefinite time, like "abiding" for a night or two, on to the meaning of "dwelling" somewhere for an extended time, or, on a permanent basis, i.e., "becoming a resident" in a particular location. We should also consider the nature of the location which John indicates, and how we get to this location.
So let us observe John's use of "meno" in this passage. As we read the verses, we should ask, "Does John mean for a brief stay, for a more extended period, or on a permanent basis, as a residence, within the context which he presents to us?" Since the idea of "remaining" assumes that something (vs. 24, below) or a person is already "in" the location indicated, from the context we will conclude that John's listeners have been brought to this location by having had The Good News proclaimed to them. They are members of the Body of Christ within called-out communities.
It will be immediately obvious that the recipients of this letter would understand that the place in which they are to "stay" in not a geographical location, but rather is a spiritual location elsewhere in the NT designated as being "in Christ," in regard to the location of the individuals, (e.g. 2 Cor. 5:17), and in the minds, hearts and spirits OF the individuals.
The object of this short study is to determine the answer to the above rhetorical question, to discern what he means by these admonitions, and to consider how John expects folks to "remain," and "be residents" in Christ. Likewise, our goal is to consider how what they have heard is to remain in them. Here is the passage, from 1 Jn. 2:
24. As for you folks, let what you originally heard (heard from [the] beginning) be continuously remaining (abiding; dwelling) within you (or: keep on staying, as being at home, centered among, and in union with, you folks). When (or: If ever) that which you heard from [the] beginning would remain (should abide; can dwell; may stay and make its home) within you, you yourselves, also, will continue remaining (be habitually abiding; keep on dwelling; be permanently staying at home) within the Son, even within the midst of, and in union with, the Father! (or: you folks will proceed residing both centered in the sphere of the Son and centered in the sphere of the Father). [cf Jn. 15:1-15]
This verse clears up two of our questions: the original message was to remain in them (we presume in their minds, hearts and spirits). Then, if that message would remain (the subjunctive mood), then they, themselves, would also "continue remaining (etc.) within the Son and within the Father." Wow! That is Good News. No religious rituals to maintain our being in the Son and in the Father, just keep the Good News in mind, love it (the heart) and let the Spirit of this new location guide us (Jn. 16:13) and lead us (Rom. 8:14). Here, we refer our readers to the Gospel of John, chapters 14-17. Two "spiritual" locations: 1) the mind/heart/spirit of the individual, and 2) the Son/Father. Take note of the parenthetical alternate reading of the last two phrases of this verse. So, how do WE, 2K years later, do this? Paul instructs us, in Col. 3:
15. Furthermore, let the Peace of, and the Joining from, the Christ (belonging to and originating in the [Messiah]; the harmony which is the Anointing [other MSS: God]) continuously umpire (act as a judge in the games; [thus, presuming a previous environment of conflict]) within your hearts (= in union with the core of your being) - into which [peace and joining] you folks are called (were called; were invited), within one body. And progressively come to be thankful people (or: continue becoming folks expressing gratitude for the goodness, ease and well-being that comes in the goodness of grace; be habitually graceful folks).
16. Let Christ's Word (or: the Logos, which is the Christ; the Idea which is the Anointing; or: the message of, and Reason from, the Christ; this transfer and conveyance of Meaning-bearing Information, and this Flow of Information that is a Pattern-forming Influence from the [Messiah] [other MSS: of God; of {the} Lord]) be continuously making Its home within you folks (or: progressively indwelling and residing - centered in and in union with you) richly and abundantly, within the midst of and in union with all Wisdom, habitually teaching [it] and placing [it] in the minds of yourselves by psalms, in hymns, by spiritual songs and odes, within grace and amidst favor, constantly singing within your hearts to, for, and with, God (or: habitually singing in, by and to God [other MSS: to {the} Lord], in union with the grace resident within your hearts {= the core of your beings}).
17. And everything - whatsoever you may be habitually doing, in word or in action (within a thought or message, or within a work or deed) - [do] everything (all; all things) within and in union with [the] Name of [the] Lord, Jesus [other MSS: of Jesus Christ; others: of {the} Lord, Jesus Christ], constantly giving thanks (expressing gratitude) to Father God (or: in union with, centered in, and for, God, [the] Father) through (or: by means of) Him.
In Col. 3:16, we have the same ideas as in 1 Jn. 2:24, above: the message (God's Logos, the Word from, and which is, God), and the idea of it making its home in us, indwelling and residing in us. Let us now move on to the next three verses of our inquiry:
26. I write these things [other MSS: But I wrote these things] to you folks about those constantly trying to lead you astray (or: periodically causing you to wander; repeatedly deceiving you),
27. and so, as for you folks, the effect of the anointing which you folks received (or: at any point receive) from Him constantly remains (abides; dwells; makes its home; [cf Jas. 4:5b]) within you folks, and you continually have no use (or: you are not constantly having a need) that anyone should keep on teaching you (or: would be repeatedly giving you a course of lessons, or coaching you, nor instructing you), but rather, and to the contrary, just as the effect of His anointing is continuously and progressively teaching you about all things (or: concerning all people), and is continuously true, and real, and is not a lie - even accordingly as it taught (or: correspondingly as He instructs) you folks: you people are continuously abiding (remaining; dwelling; being at home) within and in union with Him (or, reading as an imperative: be constantly remaining, abiding, staying and residing within the midst of Him, and in the sphere of Him). [cf Jn. 16:13; Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10]
The next occurrence of "meno" is in vs. 27. They had received "the effect of the anointing" from Christ. The "effect" (understood from the "-ma" ending of the noun) of the anointing (referring to the Spirit of God coming upon them) "constantly remains, abides, dwells, makes its home" in them, and "continuously and progressively teaches" them. It (or: He) taught, and now instructs, them. What they were taught was that they were continuously abiding (being at home) "within and in union with Him." That was part of "what they originally heard" (vs. 24, above).
28. And now (at the present time; in this moment), little children (born-ones), you are continuously (or, reading as imperative: keep on) dwelling (abiding; remaining; staying) within, and in union with, Him, to the end that if (or: so that whenever) He may be manifested (or: it can be made visible, apparent and shown in clear light) we can (or: may; should; would) suddenly have (or: at that point possess) confident boldness (freedom in speaking associated with citizenship; complete outspoken bluntness; cheerful courage) and may not be caused to feel or receive shame (disgrace; dishonor), or cause to shrink away from Him, in humiliation, within His presence (or: may not be shamed away from Him in the midst of that presence of, and which is, Him). [cf 1 Cor. 15:34]
Notice that their original situation (location) was still their present reality: "you are continuously (or, reading as imperative: keep on) dwelling (abiding; remaining; staying) within, and in union with, Him." What an affirmation! Now, the form of the verb "dwelling (etc.)" can be read both as an indicative, and as an imperative. So, on offer are both readings. I prefer the indicative (the first reading, "you are"), but the imperative also fits the context as an admonition.
29. If you folks may have come to see (or: perceive), and should now know absolutely, that He is continuously One who constantly lives in accord with, and observes, the Way pointed out (is right, just, fair, rightwised and in right relationship [in covenant]), you continue knowing by personal, intimate experience and insight that everyone, who (or: all mankind, which) is habitually practicing this flowing together of eschatological deliverance (accomplishing that which is turned in the right direction, and is in accord with the Way pointed out; doing justice and rightness; constructing righteousness; producing rightwised [environments]; forming or creating uprightness) has been born and now exists being a born-one (or: now stands begotten, and is a child), from out of the midst of Him (and: with Him as the Source). [cf Jn. 1:12-13]
Verse 29 does not use the word "meno," but it shows us what John considered to be a person who had the Word abiding within hm: they were people who were "habitually practicing this flowing together of eschatological deliverance (or: accomplishing that which is turned in the right direction, etc.)." Such folks have been born, and now exist as "born-ones," from out of Him. The hearing of the Word brings faith (Rom. 10:17), and this happened to John's listeners (vs. 24a, above), and this caused them to "proceed residing both centered in the sphere of the Son and centered in the sphere of the Father)," out of Whom they were given birth (Jn. 1:12-13).
Residency is an important theme, throughout the Scriptures. It is portrayed by many metaphors of place (such as in Jn. 15:1ff; Eph. 2:6; Heb. 12:22). It is the Promised Land of the Kingdom which is within us. It speaks of our ultimate Home... God (Rom. 11:36).
Looking at John's roots, we can be sure that he was familiar with Ps. 91 (here, from the LXX):
2. He or she will be saying to the LORD (or: by [Yahweh]; in the LORD), "You are my Helper and Protector, even my Refuge: my God (or: My God, You continue being the One who takes hold on the opposite side, to participate and give assistance, as well as defense. [You are] my Refuge)!" I will continue placing my expectation (or: expectant hope) upon Him!
3. [This is] because, He Himself will repeatedly drag you yourself to safety, from out of the midst of a trap (snare; net; noose) of [the] hunters - away from a troubling word (or: a disturbed or disordered thought; a disturbing message; a delirious idea; an agitating matter).
4. He will be overshadowing you yourself within the midst of, and between, His breasts (or: in His mind, heart and womb; perhaps: in union with the broad places of His midriff; or: = with His shoulders; or: at the changes from His frame of mind), and so you will be placing your expectation (or: expectant hope) under His wings: His truth and reality will encompass you with readiness and preparation (or: will surround you with a large shield, armor and equipment)....
[Yahweh concludes]:
14. "Because he put his expectation upon Me, I also will drag him out of danger (or: rescue him) - because he knows My Name and Designation, I will shelter and cover him.
15. "He will call upon Me, to My face, and I will attentively listen to his call, pay attention to him, heed him, and answer his [request]. I am (exist) with him in squeezed and compressed affliction and pressure, and I rescue him, then give glory to him (or: give him a good reputation; make him glorious; give him an assumed appearance).
16. "I will inwardly fill him, so as to satisfy him, with length of days, as well as point out to him (show him; display for him) my deliverance, salvation, health, wholeness, and the return to the original state and condition."
In Jn. 15, Jesus instructs His disciples:
8. "In this is (or: was) My Father glorified (caused to appear and be recognized; given a good reputation and a manifestation which calls forth praise): that you folks can continuously bear (or: would keep on bringing forth) much fruit, and thus can (or: would) come to be [with other MSS: will continue becoming] disciples (learners; students; apprentices) by Me (or: in Me; to Me; for Me; with Me; [other MSS: My disciples]).
9. "Correspondingly as (or: In the same sphere as; To the same degree as) the Father loves and accepts Me - and I, Myself, also love and accept you folks - at once begin to remain (abide; dwell; stay; reside) within the midst of (and: in union with; centered in) My own Love (acceptance; drive toward reunion)!
[comment: His Love is the Vine - vss. 4-5, above - and He is the Love - vs. 10, below]
11. "I have spoken these things to you SO THAT My joy would (or: can) remain and continuously exist within the midst of you people, and that your joy may be filled and made full (or: fulfilled).
12. "This is My implanted goal (impartation of the finished product within; inward directive; interior purpose and destiny): that you keep on loving, urging toward union, and accepting, one another - correspondingly as (to the same degree as; in the same sphere as) I LOVE, accept you folks, and view you as standing 'on the same ground' as Me, despite your present condition."
Again, remaining and taking up residence in Christ, in God, is a central theme of the Good News. Paul gives us wondrous assurance, in Col. 3:3,
"for you see, you folks died, and your life has been hidden so that it is now concealed together within the Christ in the sphere of, and within the midst of, God (or: centered in union with God)." [cf Rom. 6:8, 11]
From the beginning location, in the Garden of Eden, to humanity's exile, to Abraham leaving his home and family, to Israel's dwelling in Egypt, to their Exodus, to their wanderings, to their time in "the Promised Land," to their exile and their sojourning in Babylon, and on through the rest of the Scriptures, ending with the New Jerusalem, location has been an important part of the Plan.
Jonathan
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